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H2 Audio Helios 2128 Preamp & 5011 EQ | Audio

The audio files available on this page accompany my review of the H2 Audio Helios 500 Series modules in SOS September 2021. For each source, I've provided an example using the 2128 preamp, driven just before it starts to audibly saturate. I’ve also provided an additional example of each source with some EQ applied using the 5011 EQ module.

Download the ZIP file to assess hi-res WAVs in your own DAW.

Package icon h2audio500series.zip

01_Kick_Drum

Using an Audio-Technica ATM25 dynamic mic, this is how the 2128 preamp sounded just outside my Rogers 22-inch kick drum.

02_Kick_Drum_With EQ

The above recording processed through the 5011 EQ with the 60Hz bass control boosted in the 12 o'clock position and the 6kHz mid-range boosted by a similar amount. Even with hefty EQ boosts, it sounds ‘natural’.

03_Snare_Drum

An example of how the 2128 preamp fared on close snare drum duties. The microphone was a Beyerdynamic M201.

04_Snare_Drum_With EQ

The above recording with EQ applied: the bass boosted at 200Hz in the 2 o'clock position, 3.5kHz by a similar amount and 6dB added with the fixed 10kHz shelf option.

05_Acoustic_Guitar

Using a Neumann KM84, this is how the 2128 preamp performed on an acoustic guitar.

06_Acoustic_Guitar_With_EQ

The acoustic guitar recording through the EQ with the following settings: 100Hz boosted at 1 o'clock, 6kHz boosted at the 12 o'clock position and 4dB added with the fixed 10kHz shelf.

07_Bass_Guitar

The 2128 preamp capturing a DI'd bass guitar using a Radial DI box.

08_Bass_Guitar_With_EQ

By fully cranking the bass boost at 60Hz and cutting the mid-band at 1.5kHz in the 3 o'clock position, the bass sound is dramatically changed.